License plate and VIN scan/code catalog and information lookup

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device is disclosed that includes a housing with a display; a memory in the housing that stores machine instructions and data, which can include an access code to a restricted database of vehicle components of an identified component manufacturer; a user interface enabling a user to select options; a device for importing a VIN or code containing the VIN; and communications circuitry. The communications circuitry includes signal transmitting and signal receiving capability. The signal receiving capability receives a VIN or code containing the VIN from the device for importing a VIN, and the signal transmitting capability sends the VIN and an access code to a restricted access database to lookup vehicle component information. The signal receiving capability receives the vehicle component information from the restricted access database, and an information processor processes the vehicle component information for presentation on the display.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/897,033, filed Oct. 29, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/492,957, filed Jun. 11, 2012, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to providing access to component information/data using a portable electronic device, such as vehicle part information/data, provided by an identified component manufacturer from their personal database.

BACKGROUND

Currently when customers search the web for parts and associated information for their vehicle their search can yield incorrect product information, counterfeit parts and also parts sold by unauthorized dealers. Placing a call to a local auto parts store in search for specific manufacturer parts can result in several calls before the appropriate part is found. Moreover, the local auto parts store may not be able to identify a part for the make, model, year, and/or engine type of a vehicle with 100% accuracy or may be motivated by other market factors to recommend an alternate or inferior part.

When a vehicle is in need of repair or maintenance and requires a specific part, some vehicle owners may go to a local auto parts store to search for a specific manufacturer's part. However, there is no guarantee that the particular auto parts store carries that manufacturer's parts. The search for the desired part may require visits to several stores before the part is found. Such a process is time consuming and a waste of gas. There are other means to look up vehicle parts by manufacturer, including a paper catalog, an internal electronic cataloging system, or a licensed cataloging system.

These available methods of locating a component by its manufacturer are also limited with respect to the information that accompanies the component. For example, an automotive component found in the local automotive part retailer may come in a box with a sheet of limited information about the component and/or its installation. The purchaser may likely benefit from having more information such as videos, technical information, images, and part specifications. The internal or licensed catalogs also suffer from the expense and time lapse in updating the information. If the owner of the cataloging system is not diligent in requesting the up-dates, the information available may be inaccurate.

The above listed issues can be remedied if the process for obtaining identification of and information related to component parts was automated. Through the use of personal mobile devices, devices located at a point of service such as an auto repair shop or an auto parts store, or other electronic devices, customers and service providers can obtain the needed vehicle part information and at the same time receive additional instructions, videos, technical and other information, images and specifications directly from the manufacturer. These would make for a more informed customer and or service provider and prevent the purchasing of counterfeit parts and or purchasing parts from an unauthorized dealer.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, portable electronic devices are disclosed that include a housing with a display; a memory within the housing, the memory storing machine instructions and data, which can include an access code to a restricted access database of vehicle components of an identified component manufacturer; a device for importing a vehicle identification number (“VIN”), license plate number, or code containing said VIN or license plate number; a user interface from which a user inputs or selects options, including activation of the device for importing a VIN or code containing a VIN; communications circuitry within the housing, the circuitry comprising signal transmitting and signal receiving capability; and an information processor. The signal receiving capability receives the VIN from the device for importing a VIN or code containing the VIN, and the signal transmitting capability sends the VIN to the restricted access database, which is located external to the portable electronic device, along with the access code to lookup vehicle component information related to the VIN. The signal receiving capability receives information sent from the restricted access database to the portable electronic device in response to the lookup of vehicle component information. The information processor processes the information received by the signal receiving capability of the communication circuitry into a displayable form for presentation on the display.

In some embodiments, the information received from the restricted access database may include photographs, videos, documents, audio recordings, individual data points, and combinations thereof related to the vehicle component associated with the VIN. In some embodiments, the data from the restricted access database may include one or more of a summary of the component, a description of the component, a picture of the component, a component number, instructions regarding installation, a video regarding installation, a video describing the component, a brochure about the component, a specification sheet regarding the component, availability of the component including retail locations, price estimates for the component (such as an average retail price), manuals related thereto, and ordering instructions for the component.

In another aspect, the communications circuitry can send the VIN to a decoder external to the portable electronic device to decode the VIN into one or more of the make, model, year, type, and engine of the vehicle, and the information processor can display one or more of the make, model, year, type, and engine along with a prompt for a user to verify the correctness. In some embodiments, in response to a favorable response from the user to the prompt verifying the correctness, the information processor instructs the communication circuitry to send and the communication circuitry sends the one or more of the make, model, year, type, and engine information to the restricted access database to retrieve vehicle information relative thereto.

In some embodiments, the vehicle component information may include one or more part numbers and part names of the identified component manufacturer that are operable for the verified make, model, year, type, and engine information.

In another aspect, the information processor can display the make, model, year, type, and engine along with a prompt for the user of the portable electronic device to save the vehicle identification information in the memory.

In another aspect, the device for importing a VIN or code containing the VIN can include at least a scanner, a reader, and a camera.

In another aspect, the access code can be associated with and stored in the portable electronic device, and the restricted access database authenticates the code before the communication circuitry is allowed to send and receive information to and therefrom. In some embodiments, the access code can be a username and a password associated with a direct customer of the identified component manufacturer, and the information from the restricted database may include a direct customer's current price for components and an availability of the components.

In another aspect, a displayable form includes a prompt regarding placing an order when the availability of the component indicates the components are available.

In another aspect, methods are disclosed for accessing the contents of a component manufacturer's restricted access database of part-related information. The methods include providing a portable electronic device in accordance with disclosed embodiments; activating the device for importing a VIN or code containing the VIN; capturing the VIN using the device for importing the VIN or code containing the VIN; verifying one or more of the make, model, year, type, and engine presented in the displayable form on the display of the portable electronic device; and receiving, on the display, vehicle component information from the component manufacturer's database of part-related information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device for providing an application operative to interface with a database containing component part/replacement part information/data in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device housing downloaded software (an application or computer program) that provides a means for a component lookup.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user to initiate a component lookup.

FIG. 4A is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in response to a category based component lookup.

FIG. 4B is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in response to a VIN scanner component lookup.

FIG. 4C is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in response to the selection of the VIN input lookup option.

FIGS. 4D and 4E are front plan views of two embodiments of an electronic device showing schematic views of functions available to a user in response to various part number component lookups.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the communications between software operable to perform the component lookup and a restricted access database where the desired information/data is stored.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in a learning center directed to topics related to the component manufacturer.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user to initiate a component lookup.

FIG. 8A is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in response to the selection of the license plate scanner lookup option.

FIG. 8B is a front plan view of one embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user in response to the selection of the license plate input lookup option.

FIG. 9 is a front plan view of an embodiment of an electronic device showing a schematic view of functions available to a user to initiate a component lookup that includes two lookup options: a VIN lookup and a license plate lookup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description will illustrate the general principles of the invention, examples of which are additionally illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

The present inventions include downloadable software (i.e., a mobile device application) that provides access to component information/data using an electronic device, in particular component information/data stored in a personal database (also known as original source data) of a component manufacturer, electronic devices that include such software, methods of accessing the component information, and, optionally, acting upon the information to order the component. In one embodiment, the component is a vehicle part, which is what will be used for exemplary purposes herein. However, the invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to any replacement parts for a product. In some instances, the component is a replacement part and the end user may be a do-it yourselfer or the retail store that sells the component. In other instances, the component may be an original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) component being installed at the factory level. Here, the OEM may use the database to coordinate proper installation in the correct vehicle or device and may acquire information about the availability of the components. The component manufacturer's database is typically the sort of information that is backed up daily and updated frequently to reflect the most accurate component related information.

A “vehicle” as used herein, is any device that is used for ground-based, air, or water transportation. For example, a vehicle may be an automobile, a car, a bus, a truck, a tractor, a riding lawn-mower, a tank, a motorcycle, a train, an airplane, a watercraft such as a ship or boat, an all-terrain vehicle, or a snow mobile.

“Vehicle identification number” as used herein means any format of vehicle identification affiliated with a vehicle for identification of one or more of the make, model, year, and engine type thereof. This information may be in various formats such as, but not limited to, a number sequence, a bar code, a quick reference code, or hereinafter developed computer readable media.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device for providing an application operative to interface with automotive part information/data stored in a database of a single automotive part manufacturer. Electronic device 100 can include control circuitry 102, storage 104, memory 106, input/output (“I/O”) circuitry 108, and communications circuitry 110. In some embodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device 100 can be combined or omitted (e.g., storage 104 and memory 106 may be combined). In some embodiments, electronic device 100 can include other components not combined or included in those shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., motion detection components, a power supply such as a battery or kinetics, a display, bus, a positioning system, an input mechanism, etc.), or several instances of the components shown in FIG. 1. For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in FIG. 1.

Electronic device 100 can include any suitable type of electronic device, including single-processor or multiprocessor computer system configurations, minicomputers, mainframe computers as well as portable electronic device that the user may hold in his or her hand, such as a digital media player (e.g., an iPod™ made available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a personal e-mail device (e.g., a Blackberry™ made available by Research in Motion of Waterloo, Ontario), a personal data assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a handheld gaming device, and a digital camera. As another example, electronic device 100 can include a larger portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer. As yet another example, electronic device 100 can include a substantially fixed electronic device, such as a desktop computer. The methods, systems, and downloadable software disclosed herein may be applicable to hereinafter developed electronic devices, including input/output and computing technologies that may encompass holographic, 3-dimensional display technologies, eye tracking, gesture sensing, even direct thought control systems.

Control circuitry 102 can include any processing circuitry or processor operative to control the operations and performance of electronic device 100. For example, control circuitry 102 can be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, or any other application. In some embodiments, control circuitry 102 can drive a display and process inputs received from a user interface. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also may be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, sets of instructions, etc. that perform particular tasks and functionality or implement particular abstract data types.

Storage 104 can include, for example, one or more storage mediums including a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as ROM, any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Storage 104 can store, for example, media data (e.g., music and video files), application data (e.g., for implementing functions on electronic device 100), firmware, user preference information data (e.g., media playback preferences), authentication information (e.g. libraries of data associated with authorized users), lifestyle information data (e.g., food preferences), exercise information data (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information data (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information data (e.g., information that can enable electronic device 100 to establish a wireless connection), subscription information data (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information data (e.g., telephone numbers and email addresses), calendar information data, and any other suitable data or any combination thereof.

Memory 106 can include cache memory, read only memory (ROM), semi-permanent memory such as RAM, and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data. In some embodiments, memory 106 can also be used for storing data used to operate electronic device applications, or any other type of data that can be stored in storage 104. In some embodiments, memory 106 and storage 104 can be combined as a single storage medium. The electronic device 100 may also include a hard disk, a magnetic disk drive, or an optical disk drive.

The electronic device 100 includes at least some form of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media can be available media that can be accessed by the electronic device. By way of non-limiting example, the non-transitory computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media (such as those described above) implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Non-transitory computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other magnetic storage devices, or other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the electronic device 100.

Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changes in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combination of any of the above should also be included within the scope of non-transitory computer readable media.

I/O circuitry 108 can be operative to convert (and encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals into digital data. In some embodiments, I/O circuitry 108 can also convert digital data into any other type of signal, and vice-versa. For example, I/O circuitry 108 can receive and convert physical contact inputs (e.g., from a multi-touch screen), physical movements (e.g., from a mouse or sensor), analog audio signals (e.g., from a microphone), or any other input. The digital data can be provided to and received from control circuitry 102, storage 104, memory 106, or any other component of electronic device 100. Although I/O circuitry 108 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a single component of electronic device 100, several instances of I/O circuitry 108 can be included in electronic device 100.

Electronic device 100 can include any suitable interface or component for allowing a user to provide inputs to I/O circuitry 108. For example, electronic device 100 can include any suitable input mechanism, such as for example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen, voice activation, and mouse. In some embodiments, electronic device 100 can include a capacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensing mechanism.

In some embodiments, electronic device 100 can include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more audio outputs. The audio output can include one or more speakers (e.g., mono or stereo speakers) built into electronic device 100, or an audio component that is remotely coupled to electronic device 100 (e.g., a headset, headphones or earbuds that can be coupled to communications device with a wire or wirelessly).

In some embodiments, I/O circuitry 108 can include display circuitry (e.g., a screen or projection system) for providing a display visible to the user. For example, the display circuitry can include a screen (e.g., an LCD screen) that is incorporated in electronic device 100. As another example, the display circuitry can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device 100 (e.g., a video projector). In some embodiments, the display circuitry can include a coder/decoder (Codec) to convert digital media data into analog signals. For example, the display circuitry (or other appropriate circuitry within electronic device 100) can include video Codecs, audio Codecs, or any other suitable type of Codec.

The display circuitry also can include display driver circuitry, circuitry for driving display drivers, or both. The display circuitry can be operative to display content (e.g., media playback information, application screens for applications implemented on the electronic device, information regarding ongoing communications operations, information regarding incoming communications requests, or device operation screens) under the direction of control circuitry 102. Alternatively, the display circuitry can be operative to provide instructions to a remote display.

Communications circuitry 110 can include any suitable communications circuitry operative to connect to a communications network and to transmit communications (e.g., voice or data) from electronic device 100 to other devices within the communications network. Communications circuitry 110 can be operative to interface with the communications network using any suitable communications protocol such as, for example, Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth™, radio frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband, and other cellular protocols, VOIP, or any other suitable protocol. Remote computers/devices can be part of the communications network. These computers/devices may include workstations, server computers, routers, personal computers, microprocessor based devices, peer devices or other common network nodes, and combinations thereof. These computers/devices may be logically and/or physically connected to one another and/or to the electronic device 100. The logical connections may include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN).

In some embodiments, communications circuitry 110 can be operative to create a communications network using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry 110 can create a short-range communications network using a short-range communications protocol to connect to other devices. For example, communications circuitry 110 can be operative to create a local communications network using the Bluetooth™ protocol to couple electronic device 100 with a Bluetooth™ headset.

Electronic device 100 can include one or more instances of communications circuitry 110 for simultaneously performing several communications operations using different communications networks, although only one is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example, electronic device 100 can include a first instance of communications circuitry 110 for communicating over a cellular network, and a second instance of communications circuitry 110 for communicating over Wi-Fi or using Bluetooth™. In some embodiments, the same instance of communications circuitry 110 can be operative to provide for communications over several communications networks.

In some embodiments, electronic device 100 can be coupled a host device for data transfers, synching the communications device, software or firmware updates, providing performance information to a remote source (e.g., providing riding characteristics to a remove server) or performing any other suitable operation that can require electronic device 100 to be coupled to a host device. Several electronic devices 100 can be coupled to a single host device using the host device as a server. Alternatively or additionally, electronic device 100 can be coupled to several host devices (e.g., for each of the plurality of the host devices to serve as a backup for data stored in electronic device 100).

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic device, generally designated 200, that has a software program 150 stored therein (see FIG. 1) that provides a means for a component lookup such as an automotive part. The software program 150 may be downloadable into the electronic devices 100, 200. The electronic device 200 includes a display or screen 202 and input mechanism 204. While the input mechanism 204 is illustrated as a button, it is not limited thereto. The software 150 may include introductory instructions (not shown) that direct the I/O circuitry 108 (shown in FIG. 1) to display the manufacturer's name 208 so the user knows the source of the information to be returned and displayed during the component lookup. Optionally, the display may also include a trademark or brand name 210 for the service provided.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, the software 150 may include a plurality of instructions 152, 154, 156, 158, and 162 or program logic and an access code that enable the systems within electronic device 200 to interact with a user such that the user can look up vehicle part information specific to one vehicle part manufacturer by accessing the contents of that particular vehicle part manufacturer's database 180. The information stored in the database is a compilation of data and information that coordinates vehicle parts to the vehicles they are operable in, what competitor's part it is a replacement for, and for each vehicle part information regarding how to maintain the part, a description thereof, a picture thereof, its part number and/or name, instructions regarding installation, a video regarding installation, a video describing the part, a brochure about the part, a specification sheet, availability of the vehicle part including retail locations, pricing, manuals, direct customer pricing, and/or ordering instructions. This data and information is valuable to the vehicle part manufacturer and is not available to the general public. Accordingly, the database is a restricted access database.

The access code may be a username and/or password. In one embodiment, each electronic device has its own username and/or password associated with the software downloaded therein and the restricted access database authenticates the username and password before data is released therefrom. In another embodiment only the password is required. In one embodiment the password is unique to the software stored on each electronic device. In these embodiments, the restricted access database may include a table coordinating the username and/or passwords with the id of the electronic device from which the username and/or password was received. In this manner the password and electronic device can be verified and/or authenticated. The authentication of the access code typically occurs before the third instruction 156, explained below, is executed. In another embodiment, the access code is one code stored in each version of the software, that may be the same in each version.

In another embodiment, the username and/or password are associated with a direct customer of the component manufacturer such as a distributor, retailer, or original equipment manufacturer, and the data from the restricted access database includes at least one of the direct customer's current price for the component and the availability of the component from the component manufacturer or a secondary source.

As part of accessing the restricted access database 180, the software 150, referring again to FIG. 5, includes a first instruction 152 executable by the electronic device 200 (typically through the I/O circuitry 108 (FIG. 1)) to provide a user a display, for example display 212 as shown in FIG. 3 or display 312 in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9, from which he/she may select a means for a vehicle part lookup 214, 314 from the restricted access database 180. The software 150 includes a second instruction 154 executable by the electronic device 200 (typically through the communications circuitry 110 (FIG. 1)) to export the access code 156 from memory 106 (FIG. 1) and any information provided in response to the selection of the means for the vehicle part lookup 214, 314 to an external source 178. The third instruction 156 of the software 150 is executable by the electronic device 200 to import data from the restricted access database 180 about a vehicle part found during the user selected vehicle part lookup. The fourth instruction 158 is executable by the electronic device to display the data returned from the restricted access database 180 on screen 202 of the electronic device 200.

After execution of the first instruction 152, the display 202 is of the means for the component lookup 214, for example as seen in FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9. The means for the component lookup 214 may include any one or more of the following: a browse by category option, a scan VIN option, an option to manually enter the VIN, and an option to search by the component manufacturer's part number and/or the part number of an original equipment manufacturer as seen in FIG. 3, but is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the means for the component lookup is generally referred to by reference number 314, is displayed on screen 302 on device 300 and may include any one or more of the following: a browse by category option 316, a scan vehicle license plate option 318, an option to manually enter the license plate number 320, and an option to search by the component manufacturer's part number 322 and/or the part number of an original equipment manufacturer 324, but is not limited thereto.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the means for the component lookup is generally referred to by reference number 314, is displayed on screen 302 on device 300 and may include any one or more of the following: a browse by category option 316, a scan vehicle license plate option 318, an option to manually enter the license plate number 320, a scan VIN option 330, an option to manually enter the VIN 332, and an option to search by the component manufacturer's part number 322 and/or the part number of an original equipment manufacturer 324, but is not limited thereto. Once this screen is displayed, the user may select one of these means for component lookup 214. The particular means for component lookup selected will result in the software 150 executing a fifth instruction 162 (FIG. 5) executable by the electronic device 200 to display prompts requesting information related to the means for the component lookup. Example screen displays for each of the means for component lookup listed above are provided in FIGS. 4A-4E, and FIGS. 8A-8B. The added capability of entering a license plate number or scanning a license plate is beneficial for heavy duty vehicles because a VIN is not always included on these types of vehicles.

When the user responds to one of the prompts requesting information related to the means for the component lookup by inputting information, a “user input” is created and may be temporarily saved in the memory 106 (FIG. 1) of the electronic device 100, 200. With respect to one or more of the means for component lookup 214, 314 (FIG. 3 or FIGS. 7 and 9), the software 150 optionally includes a sixth instruction 164, represented in FIG. 5, executable by the electronic device 200, after the fifth instruction 158, to display the user input along with a prompt for the user to verify that said user input is correct.

In one embodiment, the second instruction 154 includes a route or URL to an external decoder 182 to convert the user input, such as the VIN or the license plate number, into vehicle identification information. The second instruction 154 may also include a seventh instruction 166 therein that directs the decoder 182 to send the vehicle identification information to the restricted access database 180 for use in the component lookup. The vehicle identification information may include one or more of, but preferably two or more of, the make, model, year, and engine type of a vehicle.

In the embodiments of FIG. 3 or 9, the user input may be a VIN. This user input may be entered after either selection of the “scan VIN” or the “manual enter VIN” options as the means for component lookup 214, see FIG. 3. The “manual enter VIN” option prompts the software to display on screen 202 a field 216 for entering the VIN (see FIG. 4C). The user may use an alpha numeric keyboard of the electronic device 200 to enter the VIN. The VIN is then sent to the external decoder 182 per second instruction (and seventh instruction) as discussed above.

If the “scan VIN” option is selected the software will display prompts regarding first time instructions and start scan. An example screen display is illustrated in FIG. 4B. The selection of start scan activates a reader, scanner, camera, or other input device 112 (FIG. 1) of the electronic device 100, 200 to input an image of or data contained in a VIN. The image of the VIN is then analyzed by the electronic device 100, 200 using the software 150 to extract the VIN data therefrom (i.e., a number sequence or code). Now, the second instruction 154 can send the VIN data (i.e., the user input) to the decoder 182 as explained above. The decoder 182 will decode the VIN data into one or more of the make, model, year, and engine type of a vehicle, hereinafter referred to as the “decoded vehicle information.”

In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 9, the user input may be a license plate number. This user input may be entered after either selection of the “scan license plate” or the “enter license plate number” options as the means for component lookup 314. The “enter license plate” option prompts the software to present a display 312 having a field 316 for entering the license plate number (see FIG. 8B for an example) or a prompt to speak the license plate number. In one embodiment, the user may use an alpha numeric keyboard of the electronic device 300 to enter the license plate number. The license plate number is then sent to the external decoder 182 per second instruction (and seventh instruction) as discussed above. In one embodiment, the external decoder 182 is a publicly available database of vehicle registrations, which includes the license plate number and at least the VIN. The VIN is retrieved and sent to a second external decoder that operates as described above to retrieve decoded vehicle information, which is then sent to the electronic device 100 and displayed for the user to verify the accuracy of the information. In another embodiment, the external decoder 182 may be able to directly decode the license plate number into decoded vehicle information.

If the “scan license plate” option is selected, the software will display prompts regarding first time instructions and “start scan.” An example display 312 on devise 300 is illustrated in FIG. 8A. The selection of the scan screen can direct the user to a second display with instructions to start the scan, which activates a reader, scanner, camera, or other input device 112 (FIG. 1) of the electronic device 100, 200 to input an image of or data contained in a license plate or the scan screen option may be a start scan option instead. The image of the license plate is then analyzed by the electronic device 300 using the software 150 to extract the license plate number therefrom (i.e., a number/letter sequence). Now, the second instruction 154 (FIG. 5) can send the license plate number as data to the external decoder 182 as explained above. The decoder 182 will decode the data comprising the license plate number into one or more of the make, model, year, and engine type of a vehicle, hereinafter referred to as the “decoded vehicle information” directly or through first identifying a VIN number affiliated with the license plate number as discussed above.

The decoded vehicle information whether as a result of the scan or entry of the VIN or license plate number, may be sent back to the electronic device 200, 300 for verification of its correctness by the user. Entry of the VIN or license plate number includes, but is not limited to, typing the information and speaking the information (i.e., a voice activated entry 326 in FIG. 8B). The software may also include instructions to display the decoded vehicle information along with a prompt asking the user if he/she would like to store the decoded vehicle information in the electronic device (in memory 106 (FIG. 1)). Thus, in the future the user can recall the decoded vehicle information from memory 106 to look up additional parts for that particular vehicle.

If the user selects “browse by category” as the means for component lookup, the electronic device may display a screen as shown in FIG. 4A, listing the available categories. If the component manufacturer is a vehicle part manufacturer the categories may be directed to different vehicle parts, for example, in the case of Dayco Products, LLC the categories may be timing belts, serpentine belts, pulleys, tensioners, hoses, etc. Alternately, the categories may have a two-tiered approach, where tier 1 is whether the user is interested in light duty, heavy duty, ATV/snow mobile, industrial, lawn and garden, or hydraulics and then within each selected tier 1 a category of specific parts such as timing belts, serpentine belts, pulleys, tensioners, hoses, etc. represents tier 2. For other component manufacturers, the categories can be tailored to the types of components manufactured and/or the systems in which such components are used. Once a category is selected the software instructs the restricted access database to send back a with a list of parts therein, which are then displayed for user review. Each part within a list may be individually selectable to learn more about that particular part and upon selection of a desired part, data specific to that part may be retrieved from the database and displayed to the end user.

Similarly to the manually entered VIN or license plate number, the user may select to manually enter and search by the manufacturer's part number and/or the part number of an original equipment manufacturer, see FIG. 3. For either type of part number lookup, the software 150 instructs the electronic device to display a field 216 for entering the number as illustrated in FIGS. 4D and 4E. The user may enter the number using an alpha numeric keyboard of the electronic device 200. Example screen displays are illustrated in FIGS. 4D and 4E. The part numbers via the second instruction 154 of the software 150 can be sent directly to the restricted access database 180 along with the access code. There is no need for the part number to be sent to decoder 182. The restricted access database 180, after verification of the access code, will send data related to the part number to the electronic device 100, 200, 300 for display per the software's third and fourth instructions 156, 158 (FIG. 5).

The fourth instruction 158 to display the vehicle data may include a displayable prompt to place an order. This prompt may be displayable only when the availability of the component indicates said components are available. If the part is not available, the display may display an out-of-stock message, a not found message, or a discontinued message, whichever is appropriate. If the user is a direct customer, the prompt to order may include the component's price at the direct customer price. Alternatively, the fourth instruction 158 may include a displayable list of the component's availability at local vendors/authorized distributors. If the component is not found in the database, the database will send a message that tells the communications circuitry to have the I/O circuitry display a message regarding the unavailability of the component.

The software 150 may also include additional options for the user. The options may include a “Where to Buy” lookup, “a Learning Center” and an “Information” screen. Where to Buy includes a lookup of retail locations where the products of the identified component manufacturer are sold. The list of retail locations may include information regarding the retail location, driving instructions, phone numbers, store hours, etc. The Learning Center may include general technical information relative to the various components made by the identified component manufacturer. An example display for a Learning Center relative to Dayco Products, LLC is provided in FIG. 6. Here, the topics for the Learning Center include timing belts, serpentine belts, belt noise, hose, and tensioners and pulleys. The Information screen may provide the option to call or e-mail the identified component manufacturer or visit their website from the electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 6, the software 150 may also include instructions for the I/O circuitry 108 (FIG. 1) to display a ribbon 220 on the screen 202 comprising prompts for navigating between the various features of the component lookup program. The ribbon may include prompts to navigate to “Part Finder” (the screen with the list of means for component lookup, such as FIG. 3), the “Where to Buy” described above, the “Learning Center” described above, and “Information” described above.

In one aspect, the inventions herein include electronic devices having the capability to store and implement the software 150 described above. In one embodiment, the electronic device 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a device 112 such as a scanner, reader, or camera (or a plurality thereof) for importing a VIN, license plate number, or code containing the VIN or license plate number (or both) into the electronic device 100, communication circuitry comprising signal transmitting and signal receiving capability, an information processor to process the information received by the signal receiving capability of the communication circuitry into a displayable form, and a display to display the information once in a displayable form. The signal transmitting capability sends the VIN, license plate number, or both to a restricted access database external to the electronic device 100 to lookup component information related thereto and the signal receiving capability receives information sent back to the electronic device in response to the lookup of component information. The electronic device 100 includes software 150, which includes an access code that the restricted access database will verify before allowing the retrieval of information stored therein. In one embodiment, a license plate number is entered or a license plate is scanned and the data comprising the license plate number is sent to the decoder, which may decode the license plate number into a VIN and then use the VIN to lookup the vehicle identification information. Here, the VIN may be returned to the display for user verification before returning the vehicle identification information. In another embodiment, the data comprising the license plate number is sent to the decoder and directly returns the vehicle identification information for verification by the user.

The information stored in the restricted access database and retrievable in response to a VIN, license plate number, or both includes one or more of photographs, videos, documents, audio recordings, individual data points, and combinations thereof, including the example types of information disclosed above, for components associated with the decoded vehicle information. The database may also include any other types of information discussed above.

The communication circuitry 110 (FIGS. 1 and 5) sends the VIN, license plate number, or both to a decoder 182 external to the electronic device to decode the VIN, license plate number, or both into one or more of the make, model, year, and engine type of the vehicle (referred to as “vehicle identification information” or “decoded vehicle information”), receives the vehicle identification information from the decoder 182, and the information processor displays said vehicle identification information along with a prompt for the user of the electronic device to verify the correctness thereof. Then, in response to a favorable response to the prompt to verify the correctness of the vehicle identification information, the information processor instructs the communication circuitry to send the vehicle identification information to the restricted access database to retrieve component information relative thereto. The component information is then received by the electronic device, more specifically the communications circuitry, and is displayed on the screen for the user. The component information typically includes one or more of part numbers, part names, and images of the part. If the user verifies that the decoded vehicle information is incorrect, the device will return to the initial display of means for entering vehicle information for the user to try again.

The electronic device as seen in FIG. 1 also includes memory 106. The information processor may display the vehicle identification information with a prompt for the user of the electronic device to save the vehicle identification information in the electronic device (i.e., memory 106).

Referring again to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 is a point-of-sale (POS) device equipped with a component lookup software 150 and a VIN and/or license plate input device 112 discussed above. The point-of-sale device operates similarly to the electronic devices described above. The difference is the intended user. Here, the user is meant to be a retail establishment, such as an automotive parts store (in particular, its employees) or a distributor. In response to any of the means for component lookup discussed above, the information sent to the POS device from the restricted access database or password protected server (described in detail below) can include the availability of the component from the component manufacturer (i.e., how many parts are in stock and date parts could ship), the particular retailer's or distributor's price for the component, and an option to place an order. Additionally, if the component manufacturer does not have the component in stock, the database may send information to the electronic device regarding other distributors or retailers that may have the component in their inventories, along with their contact information.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses methods for accessing the contents of a component manufacturer's database of component-related information. The methods include the steps of providing software that is storable in an electronic device, providing a database of component-related data specific to the component manufacturer stored on a password protected server, and providing a mobile site as a communication link between the electronic device and the database. The software enables a user to initiate a component lookup by a plurality of options. The options may include one or more of browsing a catalog, scanning or reading a VIN, manually entering a VIN, scanning or reading a license plate number, manually entering a license plate number, entering a part number of the component manufacturer, entering another manufacturer's part number or part name, and entering dimensions of a component within a category of components. The electronic device and the restricted access database communicate by having the electronic device communicate with the mobile site and the mobile site accesses the database in response to the user initiated component lookup (in response to the user's selection of one of the options listed above). The software instructs the electronic device to communicate with the database to use the user initiated component lookup to lookup component related data stored therein and to send said data to the electronic device for display.

In one embodiment, the password protected server is at least a webserver having the database stored as a web service. For this embodiment, the method includes a step where the mobile site calls the web service for each user initiated component lookup and provides a password to the web service. The web service then authenticates the password and thereafter sends data related to the component(s) selected during the user initiated component lookup to the mobile site, which relays the data to the electronic device.

In another embodiment, the password protected server is at least a File Transport Protocol (FTP) server having the database stored as comma-separated value files. Here, the method may include the step of accessing the database, once daily, with a password and copying the database to a cloud server. With the data stored in the cloud server, the mobile site can call the cloud server for each user initiated component lookup without using a password. This method will increase the speed of the component lookup.

In either of these embodiments, the mobile site may include a VIN decoder or be in communication with a VIN decoder, and/or include a license plate decoder or be in communication with a license plate decoder. When a user initiates a component lookup by importing a VIN or license plate image or code or by manually entering a VIN or license plate number, the method also includes the step of decoding the VIN or license plate number (using the decoder) into vehicle identification information and then sending the vehicle identification information to the electronic device for display and verification by the user. When the decoder is external to the mobile site, the mobile site sends the VIN or license plate number (or both) to the external decoder and receives therefrom the vehicle identification information. The mobile site will thereafter send the vehicle identification information to the electronic device for display and verification by the user. Once verified, the electronic device, as explained above, will send the vehicle identification information to the database to lookup component information/data related thereto.

In one embodiment, the downloadable software is available for installation of mobile devices such as a cellular phone, an ipad, a handheld computer, etc. from the Apple App Store and from Google™ play for Android devices under the name “Dayco”.

The embodiments of this invention shown in the drawings and described above are exemplary of numerous embodiments that may be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated that numerous other configurations of the software, electronic devices, and methods of component lookup in a restricted access database of an identified component manufacturer may be created by taking advantage of the disclosed approach. In short, it is the applicant's intention that the scope of the patent issuing herefrom will be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device comprising: a housing having a display; a memory within the housing in which machine instructions and data are stored, including software and an access code unique to the software that grants access to a restricted access database of components of an identified component manufacturer, the software comprising instructions to export the access code through the communication circuitry along with the license plate number; a user interface from which a user inputs or selects an option of a means for a vehicle part lookup, including the option to select between entry of the license plate number by keyboard or voice entry; communication circuitry within the housing, the communication circuitry comprising signal transmitting and signal receiving capability; wherein the signal transmitting capability sends the license plate number to a decoder external to the portable electronic device to decode the license plate number directly into one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine or into a VIN, which is subsequently decoded into one or more of a make, model, year, type and engine of a vehicle; wherein the signal receiving capability receives the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine from the decoder, the signal transmitting capability sends the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine to the restricted access database, external to the portable electronic device, along with the access code to look up vehicle component information related to the license plate number, and the signal receiving capability receives information sent from the restricted access database to the portable electronic device in response to the lookup of component information; and an information processor to process the information received by the signal receiving capability of the communication circuitry into a displayable form for presentation on the display.
 2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information received from the restricted access database includes photographs, videos, documents, audio recordings, individual data points, and combinations thereof related to a vehicle component associated with the license plate number.
 3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information processor displays said one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine along with a prompt for a user of the electronic device to verify a correctness thereof.
 4. The portable electronic device of claim 3, wherein the information processor, in response to a favorable response to the prompt to verify the correctness, instructs the communication circuitry to send and the communication circuitry sends the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine information to the restricted access database to retrieve vehicle component information relative thereto.
 5. The portable electronic device of claim 4, wherein the vehicle component information includes one or more of part numbers and part names of the identified component manufacturer that are operable for the verified one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine information.
 6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information processor displays the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine along with a prompt for the user to save the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine in the memory.
 7. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the device for importing the license plate number includes at least one of a scanner, a reader, and a camera.
 8. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the restricted access database authenticates the access code before the communication circuitry of the portable electronic device is allowed to send and receive information to and therefrom.
 9. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the vehicle component information from the restricted access database includes at least one of a direct customer's current price for components and an availability of the components.
 10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the displayable form includes a prompt regarding placing an order when the availability of the component indicates said components are available.
 11. A method for accessing the contents of a component manufacturer's restricted access database of part-related information, the method comprising: providing software and a password unique to the software that grants access to a restricted access database of part-related information of an identified component manufacturer that are storable in a portable electronic device, wherein the software enables a user to initiate a component lookup by selecting one of a plurality of a means for a vehicle part lookup, which includes the option to select between entry of a license plate number by keyboard or voice entry, and instructs to send the license plate number to a decoder external to the portable electronic device, and receives vehicle identification information from the decoder if the user selects the option to enter the license plate number; providing the restricted access database of part-related data specific to one component manufacturer; and wherein the software instructs the portable electronic device to export the password unique to the software to the restricted access database for verification; and wherein the software instructs the portable electronic device, subsequent to verification of the password, to communicate with the database to use the vehicle identification information from the decoder to look up component related data stored therein and to send said data to the portable electronic device for display.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle identification information comprises one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vehicle component information includes one or more of part numbers and part names of the identified component manufacturer that are operable for the one or more of the make, model, year, type and engine information.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle component information includes photographs, videos, documents, audio recordings, individual data points, and combinations thereof related to the vehicle component associated with the license plate number.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the displayable form includes a prompt to save the vehicle identification information in the memory. 